Its all about the journey not the destination!

My first Marathon by Paula Daly – marathon runner 🙂

 

So where to begin for my journey to my first marathon… I guess the beginning is as good a place as any!. So how did I come across MBRC ? Well it was through our very own Lainey Loo!! I had just recently conquered the challenge of doing ocean swimming with the Bold and the Beautiful swim squad when I came across Lainey. Not bad for someone who, prior to landing on Australian shores, swimming ability resembled that of an elderly lady, complete with sunflowered swim cap, gently hogging a lane of a swimming pool. Lainey deemed it her duty to get me signed up with another Manly institution, Manly Beach Running club.

I had done a fair few 10k in my time in Ireland and in Australia I had a couple of half marathons under my belt. But seriously, who gets up to run at 5:30am ….. that’s just silly oclock! But Lainey persisted and prior to my swims I could see these crazies getting their pics taken at the beach religiously at 6:30 each morning after having done their Kms. So before long I was there too and 5:30am didn’t quite seem that crazy after all with Joe Ward and all the MBRC crew. So that was round about the start of 2016 and now its nearing the end of 2019.

I had always thought about doing a marathon as a bucket list item but didn’t really give it any real serious thought …. But that wasn’t my goal at first when I joined MBRC. My goal at that stage was just to be consistent or as Joe would say just ‘Show Up’. And, so I started my pilgrimage to Manly Surf club at 5:30, trying to make it, like a good devotee, at least 3-4 times a week. My hubby Derek got used to calling it a cult when the subject came up in company about this running club I had joined, and I guess it is of sorts ? but such a wonderful cult to be part of.

Fast forward a few years to my first ‘MBRC on tour’ which I joined in the Sunshine coast. What a fabulous weekend organized by Raelene, our tour Guide extraordinaire!!

We had Kirki(Kirsten) doing a marathon in honour of her beloved Aunt Dale and she nailed it!! We also had Bev and possibly Lou and Lee doing their first halfs! Don’t quote me on that, I am sure I have got it wrong. We also had the legend, that is Robyn, doing her second half after her triumphant first at Adelaide. Super quick Nic Kemp smashed her own half and then encouraged and did yet another 10km or more kms on top of that to bring Kirki home – hard core that girl!.

And then you had Jo who had delays and dramas getting to Sunshine coast and ended up making it late in the night along with her lovely daughter Ava. Jo conquered the 10km and was so upbeat despite all the dramas and dilemmas of getting there. And my partners in crime, Michele and Elaine, who were all up for a dip in the ocean after the race …. What more could you want after a half!. And then Kathryn who smashed the half by getting a sub 2 (wooohooo!) and still caught up with us in one of our many dinners/celebrations post race.

So why the whole story of Sunshine coast you ask ? it was on the back of the fun and frolics (and my snoring…… sooo sorry Lee) that Queenstown was born. It was agreed that MBRC needed to go global …. Well NZ at least! It was probably just a couple of weeks after that Raelene, our tour guide, was already checking out accommodation options!

 

And before we knew it, we were signed up for Queenstown. The flights were bought but the decision on the half versus full was still to be made. Eventually I bit the bullet and decided to go for the full…. Scary as all hell that was!

So now onto the boring bits that is just doing getting those kms in. But it is being inspired by such people as Nicole Maron doing that crazy 700-day challenge and then she keeps going and doesn’t stop. Coach Joe smashing the GNW 100 miles. Anna, Jon and Tim just smashing GNW races and then also UTAs. Tanya, as always, Queen of the trials. Chris and Jonathan bringing home Melbourne. Jane with her amazing successes at Ironwoman distances …. What a woman! Michele doing yet another international marathon. Too many people and inspirational challenges to mention that just spurred me on normalizing the whole idea of doing a marathon.

Thinking back on my training I guess I was pretty much injury free thankfully. My ‘injuries’ now that I think of it seem to always follow my very infrequent tempo runs! First one was strangely a neck strain …. No idea how that came about but it was after tempo! Next one was suspected plantar fascia … incorrectly diagnosed by a random doc at the medical centre but Kieran put me straight. I had a slight roll on the ankle at the weekend and then the tempo put it over the edge. So, amongst those couple of injuries I was pretty much cruising and then it was September school holidays. What seemed a super idea at the time, when booking, wasn’t so when I referred to my running schedule. I was going to be training in Coober Pedy…. In 40-degree heat! Less than ideal to say the least. So, I discussed with Joe about jigging my program but to be honest there wasn’t much we could work with given the 10 day break I had and the unlikelihood that I could manage much running while travelling in the outback with the family in a camper! I wasn’t giving up that easily … I had done the hard yards so by god I was still doing that full marathon ?.

So, I did one very lonely 28km on my own one Wednesday morning the day before we flew to Adelaide and then in our little camper to Uluru. And I did manage runs while on holiday. Can’t beat a 15km run around the base of Uluru. Magic! But after having managed to fit in all those runs while away, a stupid accident at the airport where I missed the seat and smacked my back against the edge of the chair put me out of action for about 1.5 weeks with no running at all. I was so cross with myself … I was potentially screwing up all those weeks of training. So, I took the advice of the physio, Kieran’s colleague Rebecca, to not run even though I had a 20k run scheduled for the following weekend. Rest up … if looking for cardio, a bike at the gym, tops. When I did go back to running, I had to pull up early in my scheduled 18km with just 10km… did I just mess up my first marathon with a silly accident! Slowly though it started to ease but I wasn’t feeling that confident going into the run because of it. Secretly though I was hoping for a sub 5 but when anyone asked, I just said I wanted to manage to finish it. My confidence had taken a knock.

The last 32km training run with Raelene and Kirsten was great though. When they suggested loops of Narrabeen lake, I thought it was a crazy idea but seriously was the best and loved having the company and the 32 kms seemed easy … but I guess Narrabeen lake is flat! Raelene, as prepared as ever, had chilled chocolate protein drinks with some to spare at the finish …. Thanks, my lovely. I had my fuelling for the run but never thought about afterwards. Raelene, who I think of fondly as mother hen, always looking after us ? with 32 under my belt I finally felt like this was possible…. After the setbacks I was actually gonna do this. Do this marathon thing before I hit the big 50!

After collecting our bibs, we got an uber to our accommodation. Well, Raelene outdid herself from the Sunshine coast. An amazing house on Queenstown hill complete with outside Spa bath tub. Plenty of room to fit us all then off out to dinner at a beautiful restaurant down by the lake.

The next day was just a chill out day …. A short run in the morning, breakfast and abit of sightseeing for some. Raelene was sounding like she was coming down with a cold so had a chill out day on the couch, Michele was doing her writing assignments, and everyone was enjoying the time doing whatever they wanted to do without someone making demands on their time. I should really pay tribute to the wonderful Susie who had the misfortune of being in the same room as myself and Kirsten. After my snoring antics at the Sunshine coast, which I put down to post race wine, I was confident that I would be fine until Saturday night. Nothing could have been further than the truth. Poor Susie retreated to the couch after a frog course of snoring it seems, from myself and Kirsten. I just assumed when I woke up that Susie was an early riser … so sorry Susie but in fairness the couch and living room was very comfy ? but the catholic in me is riddled with guilt…. Please forgive me!

Friday, we had a race day briefing conducted, in the main, by the international marathoner Michele Clemens! She was a woman on a mission not to deviate from the course. When the focus was on the half briefing, sorry no questions about the full, boy she was a hard task master.

I love you Michele, it was awesome and seriously the best bit of advice from that pre-race briefing you gave was that at every photographer on the course give them a big smile and throw your arms in the air…. You mentioned how so easily a smile can lift you when you are struggling. To me, that was the best advice ever. I normally try to avoid the cameras, but it brought such joy just smiling and ramping it up for the camera every time I saw one. Thank you, my friend, for the best race tip ever!!!

And back to the pre-race briefing…. She ran it like with military precision ably assisted by Raelene who, always prepared, had totally got it all covered. I was just happy someone knew what they were doing lol! Jo, our number 1 supporter, explained how she was gonna pop up at various points on the course to make sure she has everyone covered for encouragement. Her and Kathryn had it all mapped out…. Our A team support. And then it was race day.

We had all bought the ponchos but secretly hoped that the weather was going to be as kind to us as the previous days which had also been forecast rain. But we awoke to torrential rain and poor Susie didn’t get much sleep on the sofa from a dripping roof… ?

The half marathoners headed off, ponchoed up, pumped to catch the shuttle buses to the start. The marathoners went a little later. Not sure about everyone else but I was feeling apprehensive …. Weather plays a big part in mood when it comes to running and while I am from Ireland and well used to a fair bit of rain, the prospect of running 42.2 km in the rain wasn’t why I chose Queenstown as my first marathon ….. I was looking for those awesome views and sunshine while plodding along. But NZ , the land of 4 seasons in one day, didn’t disappoint. By the time we took the shuttle bus, loo stop, bag drop and started to queue up for the 5hr wave, the sun was shining ! My only regret was missing the haka… there was one at the start apparently but we were likely in the loo queue or bag drop. But hey that’s race day. Nothing is perfect.

And finally, to the race itself – if you are still with me ?

Myself, Raelene and Kirsten headed out from Millbrook estate along the road and then through the beautiful quaint little village of Arrowtown. Then it was onto the trail. The surrounds were just stunning, and you just didn’t even notice the KMs ticking by to be honest. I enjoyed the quirky kiwi humour as we ran along checking out the delightful signs as we ran …. ‘I run so I can eat cake’ one of my favourites ??. My version would probably read ‘I run so I can drink wine!’

Not quite sure at what distance we stayed together to but think was with Kirsten up till we got to around 15/16km mark around Lake Hayes. Some lovely chats and with a few fellow marathoners along the way passed the time easily. I remember just running along admiring ever stunning view as the path undulated along the lake. The support along the way from spectators was phenomenal. I remember a lady encouraging me along – ‘Come on Paula, you are doing great!’. I kept looking at her trying to figure out who she was thinking I should know her – then remembered my name was on my race bib – doh!!

As I ran along side the lake, I truly had this amazing feeling of gratitude and thanks that I had both the health and the wealth, to be so privileged to be able to come to this beautiful country and run this event. I am certainly not someone who normally takes the time to appreciate such things, as I know I should, but I truly felt blessed while running and very emotional almost to the point of tears…. A very new phenomenon for me! I was loving every moment of it. Until that was, when I hit the main road section of the race around 18km. At that point I started to feel like the skin was chafing and breaking just below my bust… am sure some of the ladies in the club can attest, not very pleasant. Thankfully I had put some paw paw ointment in my bum bag so applied some and hoped for the best. This was only about 20km so was hoping that it would do the trick. Fortunately, after some discomfort, the pain seemed to subside, and I prayed the paw paw had done the trick. I must take my hat off to the Air NZ sponsors, their trivia quiz with questions spaced along the road section kept me suitably distracted both from the chafing and the long straight road ahead.

Thankfully around 24km the road section ended, and I was back onto the trail and to my happy place. I was feeling surprisingly good. Wasn’t looking at my watch too much just trying to keep it around 6:30/7mins/km pace. The views over the Shotover river kept me distracted. A few good bands along the way and plenty of encouragement from spectators along the way also helped. And before I knew I could see someone yelling and jumping around with excitement in a bright green jacket calling my name. It was Jo T and Kathryn … the best support crew ever! Was wonderful to see them both at this point and their enthusiasm was infectious….. I was really gonna do this!. I was feeling strong and even though I was getting close to the 32km mark, the longest I had ever run, I really felt strong and empowered. I just kept taking my gel blocks and ticking along.

By about 35km though I was starting to slow. I could see that my pace was slowing to over 7min/km. I daren’t switch my watch to the setting where I could properly see the time to check how far off, I was from the sub 5 mark. I didn’t need that mental torture at this point. My legs were starting to hurt, and I focused on making sure I just kept running. I came across a fellow Irish runner from Mayo who was doing her first marathon. She was based in Melbourne. We chatted for abit and then she sped up, but I managed to catch her quite a few times as she walked and then she took off again…. I just kept plugging away – slow and steady. Felt like I was the tortoise and she was the hare ?. As I neared Queenstown, I got to part of the track along the lake we had ran as our 5km the few days before. There were lots of tree roots on this part of the trail and I almost lost it tripping on one. As I tensed my body to prevent myself falling, I seriously thought one of my calf muscles were about to snap. Thankfully I managed to steady myself and then continue my way but by this stage my muscles were screaming but I just willed myself to keep going. I knew I would be close to the 5hr mark but again didn’t want to check my watch because if I was over, I would just have been deflated and would have been tempted to walk. As I got into Queenstown centre proper and ran past the wall where we took a pic on our first evening, I was anxiously trying to figure out where exactly the route was taking me. I knew the finish line was at the oval where we got the shuttle bus from but wasn’t quite sure of the route to it. As I turned the corner, there was a bitch of a hill just in front of me to the finish line. Okay, so it maybe wasn’t that bad a hill, but my heart sank when I saw it as really thought I wouldn’t make it.   But the crowd were just amazing, calling your name, willing me up that hill. Those complete strangers seriously carried me up that hill. They were like supporters in a race I had never come across. Then it was down the steep rubber mat runway into the finish arch. Another wobbly moment on that one due to the steepness of the decline but managed to hold it together for the final strides to the finish line. I could hear and see the MBRC crew screaming and willing me to that finish line. A very special moment indeed, etched in my memory. The best support crew ever.   As I finally crossed under the arch and was handed a medal by the friendly Air NZ steward, he congratulated me on my achievement. I think my response was something along the lines of ‘Holy f$$k, thank god!’ to which he laughed heartily. The time on the clock was 5:15 and I still wasn’t entirely sure whether I had hit my goal. I was greeted by a triumphant and jubilant band of runners on the other side who assured me I had and sure enough when I checked the app and my watch, I had indeed just made it. 4:56:44!

We all waited and celebrated as all the MBRC crossed the finish line, everyone smashing some amazing personal goals. It was then time to hobble back up the hill to our awesome house and for some serious R&R. And boy do us girls know how to celebrate!

We told our race stories around the kitchen table and made a fair dent in the bubbles and wine collection before heading out for dinner at the Pig & Whistle pub located at the bottom of the hill. More celebrations continued through dinner and on the dance floor with MBRC team members getting home at various times throughout the evening. All in all, a fun night was had by all and we all lived to tell the tale. Next day stiff and sore we made a day trip to Arrowtown and had a wonderful lunch at the local pub followed by a dander round the shops before making our way back to the house for champagne in the much-needed Spa followed by the more wine and bubbles plus take away pizza.   A most perfect post race recovery session.

So, if you are still reading this well done and thank you for taking the time. In short, I loved my marathon journey and the best bit was to share it with a group of truly awesome like-minded, fun loving, encouraging and truly beautiful people #mytribe. I will cherish the memory of my first marathon always and thank you guys for making it so special

Paula xxxx